SPECIES-SPECIFIC DETECTION OF CAMPYLOBACTERS IMPORTANT IN VETERINARY-MEDICINE BY PCR AMPLIFICATION OF 23S RDNA AREAS

A species-specific PCR assay was developed for the detection oi campyl obacters important in veterinary medicine, including Campylobacter fet us, Campylobacter hyointestinalis and Campylobacter mucosalis. Specifi c primers were also developed for the non-pathogenic Campylobacter spu torum. The PCR assays were based on a target sequence which comprises the most variable areas of 23S rDNA. The developed PCR assays were eva luated on a broad selection of Campylobacter strains and phylogenetica lly related bacteria. Each of the four primer pairs allowed the select ive detection oi all the strains belonging to the species Campylobacte r fetus, Campylobacter hyointestinalis, Campylobacter mucosalis and Ca mpylobacter sputorum.